SAN Miguel overcame pesky Converge, 102-95, on Thursday to capture Game One of their PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Beermen took the victory and looked to be in rhythm even after making an import switch by bringing in EJ Anosike in place of injured Jordan Adams.
Converge keeps coming
But the FiberXers still kept the game interesting with a late comeback to cut the Beermen lead to four, 99-95, on a JL Delos Santos three.
Converge even had a chance to tie with a four-point shot, but Delos Santos committed an errant pass to Schonny Winston during one of the final plays of the game.
Game Two of the series is on Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen looked headed to cruise to victory after posting a 97-81 lead with 3:44 left in the game, until the FiberXers gave themselves a chance again in the end game.
“In the end game, it was just composure,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent. “We just wanted to close the game really quick. We should have just held the ball a bit longer. We made quite a few mistakes coming into the end that’s why the lead went down.”
Anosike had 28 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, and got support from June Mar Fajardo, who had 25 points, 16 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks.
Jalen Jones had 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Justin Arana had 20 points and six rebounds for the FiberXers. Schonny Winston had 17 for Converge.
The scores:
San Miguel 102 – Anosike 28, Fajardo 25, Perez 11, Rosales 11, Trollano 6, Cruz 6, Romeo 4, Ross 4, Lassiter 3, Enciso 3, Brondial 1.
Converge 95 – Jones 22, Arana 20, Winston 17, Caralipio 10, Delos Santos 7, Stockton 5, Ambohot 5, Cabagnot 3, Andrade 3, Santos 3, Nieto 0.
Quarters: 30-23; 55-50; 85-72; 102-95.
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